Chapter 11

Sitting on either side of Mr. Hirose were an uncle and an aunt. They seemed to be quite important people.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Yamagata. I am Shintaro Shinokawa, a board member of the All Japan Dungeon Explorers Association."

"Nice to meet you. I am Riko Karasuma, Deputy Director of the Japan Office of the International Explorers Coordination Organization, commonly known as WSO."

"Ah... I-I'm Kosei Yamagata. I'm a first-year high school student and a new explorer."

While handing over their business cards, these people with their long and impressive titles were surely in a higher position than Mr. Hirose. The scope of a prefectural-level explorer association chairman is different from these people's titles. All Japan, international—such global organizations. What could these busy people, who hold important positions, want with me?

With a worried look on my face, Mr. Shinokawa and Ms. Karasuma approached me with a smile.

"Mr. Yamagata, I must say, your explorer skills, as well as the title and the accompanying message, have been reported to us by Mr. Hirose."

"And just now, we heard that your title was updated even though you weren't exploring a dungeon. We simply had to hear your story, so we joined this meeting. I understand this must be a surprise. I apologize for the inconvenience."

"Ah, no, it's... it's fine..."

This is bad. My mind is a blank, and I can't respond to anything they say.

Anyway, these people came through Mr. Hirose, and I understand they want to know more about my bizarre status and the System. But it's too sudden! Being approached by three important adults at once is just scary! The fear of being cornered by people who seem to have lived three times as long as I have is overwhelming!

"Kosei, please calm down."

"M-Mr. Mido."

"Just take a deep breath and tell us about your experience from the moment you awakened your skill. Don't worry, no one here is your enemy."

"......Okay."

Mr. Mido's hand, which was holding mine to calm me down, was soft. I took a deep breath as instructed and managed to start explaining the events leading up to this point.

I suddenly awakened a skill. The name was poetic.

I cleared a dungeon for the first time. That night, my title was updated.

The use of weapons was practically banned. I was lectured.

Today, on my first day of school, I met a senior explorer in my class. He was incredibly popular.

When I felt jealous, my title was updated again. I was advised not to be jealous.

Scared, I consulted Mr. Mido and came here.

"......That's all."

"Hmm... Thank you very much."

While showing my status—Mr. Shinokawa has the skill "Appraisal"—I finished my explanation. I was a bit embarrassed to show the poetic skill and the System's lecture, but I couldn't hide anything. It was embarrassing.

During this time, Mr. Mido kept holding my hand, which was comforting. It was comforting, but he started intertwining his fingers with mine, which was a bit scary. Do carnivores not understand the time and place? It's scary...

Unaware of my trembling, Mr. Shinokawa let out a deep voice.

"Special titles and skills with unique names and effects. The existence and mysterious intentions of the System, as Mr. Yamagata mentioned, can shake the world and the era."

"Will changes come to the Great Dungeon Era?"

"The world that arrived 100 years ago and stagnated 50 years ago. It will start moving again because of his appearance."

"The one who moves the era...!"

"But it all depends on his will."

Mr. Karasuma, Mr. Hirose, and the three of them were having a serious discussion, leaving Mr. Mido and me out of it. Meanwhile, Mr. Mido was looking at me with moist eyes. Even though I said I was calm and asked him to let go of my hand, he didn't. It's scary.

Trying not to think too much, I looked at my status.

...The status that was left open... has changed again...

"Ah...!"

"What's wrong, Kosei?"

"I-It's... my title has changed again..."

"What!?"

I could only let out a strangled cry. The room was in an uproar at my words, and Mr. Shinokawa used "Appraisal" with wide eyes. The details of the title were revealed to everyone present.

Title: The One Who Brings the Next Era

Explanation: The era is as you wish. You are the one the era desires.

Effect: When you defeat a monster, it will definitely drop materials.

[The first acquisition of the title "The One Who Brings the Next Era" has been confirmed.]

[Approval for the first acquisition bonus. All base abilities will be raised by one level.]

[...You don't just move the era; you create it. Here, the moment of salvation has arrived!]

Silence. The effects, the explanation, even the System's voice that resonated only in my mind—all of it pointed to one thing.

System, are you watching this in real-time?

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